What are parasites and how do they affect my dog?
Intestinal parasites can cause malnutrition, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia.
There are internal and external parasites.
There are several types of internal parasites that cause problems in dogs. These include roundworms, such as Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina; heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis); tapeworms, such as Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species, and Echinococcus species; hookworms, such as Ancylostoma species, and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis).
At some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease.
What is Diatomaceous Earth and how can it help?
Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans.
Diatomaceous earth is deadly to any insect, yet completely harmless to animals. It can kill fleas, ticks, lice or mites on your dog. It doesn’t poison insects or paralyze them like some pharmaceutical products do. The way it works is purely mechanical.
You can rest assured that DE is a safe additive to your pet’s diet. To use as a dewormer, simply add a small amount of food-grade DE to your dog’s diet. Approximately 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of DE should be given daily for a month—less for very small dogs and cats, more for very large dogs.
There is a need for caution when it comes to breathing DE, we suggest wearing a mask or being careful to not stir up too much dust.
What happens if you breathe in diatomaceous earth?
If breathed in, diatomaceous earth can irritate the nose and nasal passages. If an extremely large amount is inhaled, people may cough and have shortness of breath. On skin, it can cause irritation and dryness. Diatomaceous earth may also irritate the eyes, due to its abrasive nature.